Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-10
Guy Smiths Wanderings.
BELIEVING HIMSELF MURDERER FOR KIGHTEEN
YEARS,

Guy Smiths Wanderings.
BELIEVING HIMSELF MURDERER FOR KIGHTEEN
YEARS.
The last act OF tragedy begun eighteen years
ago was concluded in the Circuit Court at Bolivar,
Tenn, last night, when Guy Smith was acquitted
OF the charge Of murder. On the I'd day of Feb
ruary, 1869, at salisbury, Tenn, little town on
the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, a younger
brother Of Smith became involved in q difficulty
with two men named Bowden and Read, well-tO-do
ting the worst OF the ARRAY, when GUY drew a re-
vOlver and rushed to the rescue. Two pistol shots
rang out, and Bowden and Read fell to the ground,
done the deed to save his brother from the indig-
nifty OF thrashing threw away his smoking pis-
tol, and, boarding train which was just moving
Chattanooga. BY that one act he had forfeited q
fourtshing business and the companionship of
wife, children and friends, and become fugitive.
From Chattanooga he went to st. Louis and
Kansas City, and then took refuge on the plains
OF Montana. There he lived for several years,
and by hard work and taking his own part
whenever necessary, became partner in q pros
porous cattle business ALI this time he went by
the name OF Robert Brown. He dared not write
home. and his family and friends were left in
doubt as to whether he was alive or dead. He
could not rest content, even with q fortune in
view, and finally turned the ranch over to his
There he was recognized by several Of his old CON-
rades In Forests calvary, in which command he
had risen by gallant conduct on the field to the
Iduh VI COlUuct. lucy kcpG Ills SECRET ana he EN-.
barked in business there. Fortune favored him
once more, and everything he touched turned to
gold He remained in the city OF Mexico six or
eight years, and then, overcome by longing to
see his wife and children at all hazards he started
for home.
For some reason he did not carry out this design,
but stopped on the way at farm which he owned
near Newport, Ark. There he lived until few
weeks ago, when the welcome news came that the
two men he had shot were not dead. They had re-
covered, after long struggle against the effects
or their terrible wounds and then left the country
AT the time OF the shooting the grand jury was in
session.. 1t was reported to that body that Bow
den and Read had died OF their wounds, and an in
dictment was at once found against Smith charg-
Ing him with murder In the first degree Through
some oversight this indictment was left standing
as originally drawn, and this fact was reportedtO
Smith. But 1t weighed nothing against his yearn-
Ing to see his family and clear his name. So as
soon as possible after hearing the news he returned
to his old home. He found the little children he
had left eighteen years before now grown to man.
hood and wOmanhOod, and the handsome young
wife grave and middle-aged matron. His arrival
was reported to the authorities, and in due time,
the trial came OF at Bolivar, the county seat OF
Hardeman County, wherein salisbury is also stu
ated. 1t resulted in the acQuital of the accused,
as already stated.
Col. Smith Is now a wealthy man, and he has
had enough Of wandering. He intends to devote
the remainder OF his life to the domestic duties
and pleasures from which he was SO long de-
barred.